Articles in Category: Debt Ratios

January 19, 2022

Is A Second FHA Loan Possible?

Is it possible for borrowers to apply for second FHA loans, resulting in paying on two mortgages at once? Here is a variation on a common reader question about this issue: “I relocated to another state over 400 miles away. Will I be able to get an FHA loan even though I still own my first home?” There’s no one single answer to a question like this. Aside from FHA loan rules, a borrower’s credit rating, loan repayment history, and debt-to-income ratio may all play a part in whether a lender is able to approve or deny an FHA loan. In cases like these, one of the most important factors would be (all other considerations aside) focused on the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio. With an existing mortgage payment, will the borrower | more...

September 29, 2021

Do FHA Home Loans Have An Income Cap?

By Joe Wallace

Some borrowers learn that FHA mortgage loans are government-backed and guaranteed by the FHA and HUD, which can lead to certain assumptions about the nature of a government-backed mortgage. One of the misconceptions about FHA home loans is that due to their government association have either an income limit, or are otherwise need-based. Some borrowers might be confusing the government-backed USDA loan program with the FAH loan rules. USDA loans ARE need based. However, FHA loan rules in HUD 4000.1 do not specify a maximum income and do not require a specific financial need to qualify. FHA loans do not have a low-income requirement, a household income cap, or a requirement that you be a first-time buyer. These loans are instead designed for those who want to purchase a home | more...

July 23, 2021

How Early Should You Use A Mortgage Calculator?

By Joe Wallace

The short answer? The moment you think you want to commit to being a home owner, you should consider using an online mortgage calculator. A mortgage calculator can help you plan and save for your mortgage. The use of a mortgage calculator is something most real estate blogs and home loan websites encourage you to use. The most basic, entry-level finance blog advice includes “use a mortgage calculator”. But there are some things to keep in mind about using a mortgage calculator–you want to use one that includes more than just the principal and interest for your loan. If you use one that limits the input to just those two things, you won’t really get an estimate of your monthly mortgage payment. Why? Because you will need to factor in | more...

July 15, 2021

FHA Loan Interest Rates And FICO Scores

By Joe Wallace

Buying a home means paying attention to your financials–credit scores, debt repayment habits, and credit utilization rates. Paying attention to them as early as possible is an important choice when you are planning your home loan. Don’t put off working on your credit–time is not on your side if you are planning to apply for a home loan in the next 12 months if you haven’t looked at your credit scores, reports, etc. If you want to buy a home with an FHA mortgage, you generally have more forgiving credit qualification guidelines from the FHA, and that’s a great reason to use an FHA mortgage. FICO score issues can be a major worry for some borrowers, but by working on your own credit far ahead of your home loan you | more...

March 23, 2021

Preparing Your Finances For An FHA Mortgage: Debt

By Joe Wallace

The debt-to-income ratio is a calculation that your lender will use to determine the amount of your monthly financial obligations compared to the amount of income you have. The debt-to-income ratio is an important tool for the lender. The more income you have compared to outgoing payments every month the better, your lender needs to justify you as a good credit risk. So how do borrowers with a lot of debt deal with this problem? This is an important factor because if the ratio is too high yor lender can’t justify the loan. Borrowers should learn what the FHA considers to be “debt” and what things are not automatically counted as part of your debt ratio in order to view their finances the way the lender will. FHA Home Loans | more...

May 22, 2020

Home Loan Approval And The Amount of Your Debt

By Bruce Reichstein

Do you need to consider your home loan options? FHA mortgages offer much for both first-time buyers and repeat borrowers. Your choices include new purchase loans, One-Time Close construction loans, reverse mortgages, cash-out FHA refinance loans, and Streamline refinance options when you’re ready to consider a refi loan. No matter what kind of loan you need, for best results you should set aside some time in the early stages of your loan planning; review the last 12 months of credit and loan repayment history and have a good look at your debt-to-income ratio. It is vitally important to do this before the lender does. The Amount Of Debt You Carry Matters The debt to income ratio or DTI for short is one of the most important factors in the lender’s | more...

May 21, 2020

Home Loan Preparation: Credit Issues

By Joe Wallace

Are you worried about your credit? Do you need to do to prepare for a mortgage loan application? There are avenues that can help you get ready for a home loan including advice and assistance with credit questions. We’ll examine your options in this area below, but first it is important to review some of the most common credit problems that stand in a borrower’s way. Home loan and refinance loan approval is not impossible, but for some borrowers it’s necessary to take some extra time to work on credit issues. Here are some credit concerns you should pay attention to so you can raise your credit score: Late And Missed Payments This area is one of the main reasons consumers are denied any kind of loan. Late and missed | more...

What Credit Score Is Needed For An FHA Mortgage?

April 24, 2020

FHA Home Loan Approval Rules And Income Verification

By Joe Wallace

Can all of your income be used to qualify for an FHA mortgage? If you need to buy a home soon, it’s important to understand home loan approval rules, especially in times of economic uncertainty. There are some forms of income that don’t qualify to be counted as “verifiable income” for the purpose of establishing the borrower as a good candidate for loan approval. There is specific criteria for the kinds of earnings you can use to qualify, and specific criteria for the types of earnings that the lender cannot count as part of your monthly predictable pay. Understanding those income rules is very important, especially now. Many Americans are receiving unemployment, government stimulus checks, and other financial resources. But not all money can be used toward your verifiable income, | more...

February 18, 2020

Income Rules For FHA Loan Approval: What You Need To Know Today

By Joe Wallace

FHA home loans, like other mortgages, require the lender to make sure their applicants have enough income to be able to realistically afford the loan. This is known as “qualifying income” and the lender is only permitted to use earnings that meet FHA standards. Those paychecks must be stable, and likely to continue for the purpose of debt-to-income ratios and other loan approval procedures. Those regulations apply regardless of whether you are buying existing construction or want to build a house on your own lot using an FHA construction loan so it’s important to be familiar with them. Military Pay And Earnings: Yes, military people have access to the GI Bill and the VA home loan program, why would they need an FHA home loan? There are actually many reasons, | more...

July 22, 2019

FHA Home Loan Rules About Borrower Debt

By Joe Wallace

Do you know what your lender is required to do when you fill out an FHA mortgage loan application? Part of the lender’s job is to make sure that the loan applicant can realistically afford the new home loan, and making that determination means reviewing your current debt. HUD 4000.1, the FHA Lender’s Handbook for single family mortgages, has instructions for the lender in this area. It begins stating the lender’s responsibilities: “The Mortgagee must determine the Borrower’s monthly liabilities by reviewing all debts listed on the credit report, Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA), and required documentation.” How is that accomplished? “All applicable monthly liabilities must be included in the qualifying ratio. ” Your lender will calculate your debt ratio using one method that includes only your current debt, and | more...